Taking photographs in the water sounds impossible, right? I mean, a camera isn’t water proof! While the list of questions begins to trickle in, I wanted to put a quick pin here and note what you will learn in this article:
-Story behind one of my favorite images to date
-Logistics of photographing in the water
-Some gear recommendations
-Important safety checks
Read MoreCoinciding with surge of U.S. based road trips and growing popularity among travelers to experience van life, especially in the Western United States, finding the correct places can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first van trip. Understanding rules for where you can park to sleep, which adventures you want be close to, and making the most of the time you have is why this article was written. Below are ten destination areas that are van life friendly, provide access to adventures, and are wonderful for a seasoned van lifer, or a newbie.
Read MoreThere is no doubt that living on the road can look like a dream, but vanlife can be hard. Especially if you are not in the correct setting, so, having a few "normal" conveniences can go a long way. In an ideal world, you would be watching the sunrise, sipping your coffee, and journaling. However, there are those times you are in a city while it's pouring rain and you are hunkered down, waiting. In those moments, having a couple of those home-like conveniences has been my key to success.
Read MoreToday is February 1st, which means it is time to flip your calendar :-) In addition to the video and calendar flip, I wanted to share some insights for your next visit to Yosemite National Park. If you are looking for a good day hike, iconic photographs to recreate, or just want to brainstorm ideas for your next trip to Yosemite, this is the blog for you.
Read MoreThroughout this article, I would like to look at a couple of examples of black and white photos I’ve taken over this past year and dive deep into if they are “good enough” for social media. Understandable, this is my opinion, these are my images, and social media is only a testing ground for me. For an added layer, I will also toss in other possible uses for the images, like this blog.
Read MoreGregory Packs and I had been talking for a few months about creating some content together. They were looking for some fun, light-hearted content that matched their campaign, "Make Time". Throughout the months we were chatting, we settled on the location of Lake Tahoe, for its versatility of activities, and the set deliverables of one blog and 8 images.
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1) Do the things you love!
2) Push yourself outside of your comfort zone
3) Talk with strangers who are in your community
4) Make friends and travel together
5) Make a list of reasons you want to live in a van
6) Picnic often
7) Avoid cities
8) Level set your expectations
9) Give yourself a few convinces you REALLY enjoy, like coffee or tea in the morning
10) Incorporate personal touches like a rug, photos on the wall, a candle/incense, a fuzzy blanket.
11) Get a HOT shower every now and then
12) Treat yourself and rent an room from time to time
13) Create a stretch/yoga routine
14) Eat mostly plants, avoid sugar
15) Do something outdoorsy, like; running, hiking, swimming, surfing, climbing, skiing…
16) Walk to your errands, save gas along the way
17) Have resistance bands for working out, this can easy be done inside of the van
18) Don’t be afraid to stretch in your bed! This might be your largest area
19) Online groups like Facebook, meetups, etc.
20) Go to the places your community hangs out
21) Go to Cafes
22) Campsites/BLM land where fires are permitted
23) Be a creative
24) Freelance
25) Digital Nomad
26) Seasonal Work
27) Consulting
28) Walmart parking lots
29) Street parking in residential housing (controversial)
30) BLM land
31) Paid Campgrounds
32) iOverlander
33) Grocery Store parking lots
34) Propping the back doors open to watch the view
35) Leaving the door open in cities
36) Know how to park your van
37) Gawking at every other van build… just come say hi!
38) Either stick out, or blend in. Avoid that awkward middle ground
39) Heat water once, put your extra in an insulated water bottle
40) Starbucks and libraries have free wifi
41) Use window coverings
42) Have a broom!
43) Be ready for rainy days inside the van
44) Have a heater and a fan
45) Download movies/tv shows ahead of time
46) Learn how to do everything while laying in bed
Imagine, it's a Friday night and you want to go hang with your buddies for an afternoon surf, but can't get in the water. This doesn't mean you can't have a good time. Heck, you might even be able to have more fun. Well, this is kinda the situation that I was in, but still wanted to hang out, so what did I do? Well, I grabbed my camera and headed to the beach.
Read MoreIn this episode I go over a few critical and HUGE parts of vanlife. While living on the road has a ton of information all over the web and this is just a surface scratcher, it’s important to think about these three things!
1) How do you make money?
2) What do you live in?
3) Is it fun?
DANG!! This was a cold one. Lake Sabrina is one of my favorite lakes to swim in during the summer, but I had not taken a dip in the winter… or late fall. When I say cold, I mean that I was shaking, my lips turned purple, and at some point, I ended up throwing up because I was so dang cold! Swimming in the Eastern Sierra during the winter was a fun challenge I am not sure I would take on for myself again. Once out of the water, I hunkered down in a sleeping bag, inside of my van, turned the heater on, and tried to warm up. Andrew was laughing at me the whole time!
Read MoreUpon finishing the week long VLOG challenge, I am very excited to say that I completed the challenge and have been continuing with videos. They are fun to make and share with you all. Providing a glimpse into vanlife, a career of photography, and the long term value of living an engaging life.
Read MoreAfter a little mix up, @cbeaumartino and I met up in the buttermilks just outside of Bishop, CA for some climbing. While waiting, the morning was quite productive as I worked on a blog about cool camping spots in the Eastern Sierra.
Read MoreQuite honestly, I would not have guessed when I made my business official (aka got a business license and started paying taxes under the business name "Dalton Johnson Media") roughly three years ago, that I would be photographing a campaign for @fordbronco or @outwardboundusa anytime soon. Realistically, I just wanted to pay my way by shooting odd jobs here and there to fuel my adventures. I really never had a list of dream clients, nor did I care to reach out to clients. While some of that has changed, my focus remains the same. I am here to live my life in accordance to my own view of success.
Read MoreVan life has become a popular lifestyle choice for individuals seeking adventure, freedom, and a closer connection to nature. For many, the idea of traveling the open road, waking up to breathtaking views, and living a minimalist life sounds like a dream come true. However, before diving headfirst into the van life movement, it's essential to evaluate whether this lifestyle is the right fit for you. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of van life, how to test if it's suitable for you, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for beginners.
Read MoreAs you plan and research your trip along HWY 1, I wanted to toss in a few of my favorite places, for you to consider. Some of these are spots are seasonal and some are just good for a quick stop. My goal is to share a few places that aren’t already on your list! I must say, this is not a comprehensive list and is focused on the Big Sur to San Francisco section of HWY 1. Be on the lookout for ideas that are more south and north in the future! Here are my four suggestions:
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Over the last year, I have focused on climbing more than ever before. Taking trips from Joshua Tree to the Tetons to the Buttermilks to Yosemite. Throughout that time, I have been able to meet tons of people who've showed me what dedication to a craft truly looks like. For the most part, climbing is a selfish pursuit, but a pursuit that is totally meaningless. Quite honestly, nobody cares who gets to the top of a boulder, crack, mountain. Sure, we may highlight the story within a community, but there really isn't much to be said about playing on rocks.
Read MoreVanlife, trucklife, bikelife, tentlife... all of them have their pros and cons, but the most important aspect is understanding why you do it in the first place. From the outside, a simple life can look like the dream, but there is also a reality that living on the road can be mundane, lonely, and scary. On the flip side, the highs are very high.
Read MoreOur thighs were burning as we tromped up Keasarge Pass to gain our first view into Kings Canyon. All three of us have explored different sections of the Eastern Sierra and JMT, but none of us had been to this area. To avoid the burn, we diverted our attention to the "What do you think is over there” game, trying to see who could paint a better picture of what was on the other side of the pass. Turns out, we were all wrong.
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